Downwind/DownstreamThreats to the Mountains and Waters of the American WestWater quality for major southwest cities is threatened by mining, acid rain, urbanization.

59 minutes
Directed by Christopher McLeod
Produced by Robert Lewis and Christopher McLeod
in association with Environmental Research Group, AspenNarrated by Peter Coyote

DOWNWIND/DOWNSTREAM documents the serious threat to water quality, sub-alpine ecosystems, and public health in the Colorado Rockies from mining operations, acid rain, and urbanization.

10,000 abandoned mines in the high country, plus thousands of acres covered with wastes from such huge operations as the Climax molybdenum mine, release a steady stream of toxic heavy metals into the headwaters of the Western water supply -- water on which cities as far apart as El Paso, Phoenix, Denver, and Los Angeles depend.

Acid rain and snow leach additional metals from mountain soils and threaten aquatic ecosystems and forests. Together, these problems also represent a potent threat to the $10 billion Western tourism industry. The time for action is now!

Reviews"A powerful reminder that we share a limited environment with other humans and other life forms and that we will be ecologically and ethically accountable for thoughtless conduct. The film is a superb tool for teaching modern environmentalism."